Jimmie Crane (1910–1998; born Loreto Domenic Fraieli) was an American songwriter and business owner from Providence, Rhode Island. He is known for composing songs performed by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra,

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, and

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Biography

Crane was born on August 1, 1910, as Loreto Fraieli. Crane's career as a songwriter began when "It's Great To Be An American," a song written by Crane and Ray Muffs became part of Glenn Miller and his Orchestra's repertoire in 1941. In the late 1940s, Crane met songwriter Al Jacobs, and they became a songwriting team. Their songs began to gain popularity with Tommy Mara's recording "I'll Try" and "Bella Mia," with "Bella Mia" being their first charting song in 1953. In 1954, their popular song " If I Give My Heart to You", written with

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, was recorded by Connee Boswell. Denise Lor and

followed with their own renditions that year. The song would later be recorded by

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, comedian, entertainer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwi ...

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, and

Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, alternatively billed as Nat "King" Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's career as a jazz and Traditional pop, pop ...

, among others. That year, " I Need You Now", also written by Jimmie Crane and Al Jacobs, was recorded by

Eddie Fisher Edwin Jack Fisher (August 10, 1928 – September 22, 2010) was an American singer and actor. He was one of the most popular artists during the 1950s, selling millions of records and hosting his own TV show, '' The Eddie Fisher Show''. Actress E ...

and reached #1 on the Billboard and Cash Box charts on November 3, 1954. The song was also featured on

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. Crane and Jacobs' song " Hurt" was first recorded by Roy Hamilton in 1954 and gained popularity on the R&B Charts. The song would be covered most popularly by Timi Yuro and enter the Billboard Top 100.

covered "Hurt" shortly before his death. Among others,

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Peabo Bryson Robert Peapo "Peabo" Bryson ( ; born April 13, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter. He is known for singing soul ballads (often as a duet with female singers) including the hit singles " Tonight, I Celebrate My Love", "You're Looking Like ...

, and

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recorded versions of the song. During his career as a songwriter, Crane also started and managed a jewelry company, Colonial Novelty, in Providence, Rhode Island. Crane was convicted of federal income tax evasion involving Colonial Novelty in 1976. Crane continued writing music throughout his life. He died in 1998.

Awards

* 1982 - Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame *1987 - ASCAP Most Performed Country Songs"Country: ASCAP Toasts Loggins, MCA, & Others at Awards." ''Billboard (Archive: 1963-2000)'', vol. 99, no. 43, Oct 24, 1987, pp. 43-43, 116. . * 2013 - Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame

Selected discography

This table is based largely on the discography compiled from "The Jimmie Crane Songography" written by Alan "Big Al" Pavlow and Rick Bellaire in honor of Jimmie Crane's 2013 induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fam

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crane, Jimmie Songwriters from Rhode Island Musicians from Providence, Rhode Island 1910 births 1998 deaths 20th-century American songwriters